How major world religions compare on key questions
20 cards · religion
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| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| How is God understood? | Christianity: Trinity; Islam: tawhid; Judaism: one God; Hinduism: Brahman; Buddhism: non-theistic; Sikhism: one formless God Monotheistic traditions affirm one God; Hinduism points to Brahman; Buddhism is generally non-theistic; Sikhism proclaims one, formless God. |
| Christianity: God | One God in three persons (Trinity) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are coequal and coeternal in orthodox doctrine. |
| Islam: God | Absolute oneness of God (tawhid) God has no partners or likeness; associating others with God (shirk) is sinful. |
| Judaism: God | One, indivisible God The Shema declares God's oneness as central to Jewish faith and practice. |
| Hinduism: God | Brahman as ultimate reality; many deities Views range from monism to theism; deities manifest aspects of Brahman. |
| Buddhism: God | No creator God; focus on Dharma and liberation Buddhism is generally non-theistic; devas exist but are not creators or saviors. |
| Sikhism: God | One, formless, timeless God (Ik Onkar) God is both immanent and transcendent, beyond form and gender. |
| How is salvation or liberation attained? | Christianity: grace through Christ; Islam: faith and deeds; Judaism: covenant and repentance; Hinduism: moksha via paths; Buddhism: nirvana via Eightfold Path; Sikhism: mukti via Naam and grace Approaches blend divine grace, ethical living, and disciplined practice. |
| How is evil and suffering explained? | Christianity: free will/theodicy; Islam: tests and qadar; Judaism: covenantal trial/justice; Hinduism: karma; Buddhism: craving causes dukkha; Sikhism: hukam and karma Theistic faiths appeal to divine wisdom and freedom; dharmic paths stress karma and mind. |
| Who guides believers? | Christianity: Jesus and apostles; Islam: prophets, Muhammad final; Judaism: prophets, rabbis; Hinduism: gurus and avatars; Buddhism: Buddha and sangha; Sikhism: ten Gurus, scripture Some traditions center on prophets; others on enlightened teachers, Gurus, or scripture. |
| What are the primary scriptures? | Christianity: Bible; Islam: Quran; Judaism: Tanakh/Talmud; Hinduism: Vedas/Gita; Buddhism: Tripitaka/sutras; Sikhism: Guru Granth Sahib Canons differ by branch, but texts anchor doctrine, worship, and ethics. |
| How is prayer and meditation practiced? | Christianity: personal/liturgical prayer; Islam: five daily salat; Judaism: thrice-daily prayer; Hinduism: puja/mantra/yoga; Buddhism: meditation/mindfulness; Sikhism: Naam Simran/Nitnem/kirtan Some prescribe set daily prayers; others emphasize devotion and contemplative practice. |
| What food and drink rules apply? | Christianity: few; Islam: halal, no pork/alcohol; Judaism: kashrut; Hinduism: often vegetarian, avoid beef; Buddhism: often vegetarian, monastic rules vary; Sikhism: avoid ritually slaughtered meat, no alcohol Dietary discipline ranges from minimal to detailed ritual law and compassion ethics. |
| What happens after death? | Christianity: heaven/hell; Islam: paradise/jahannam; Judaism: Olam Ha-Ba; Hinduism: reincarnation; Buddhism: rebirth until nirvana; Sikhism: reincarnation/mukti Abrahamic faiths stress judgment; dharmic paths stress karmic cycles and release. |
| Christianity: afterlife | Resurrection, judgment, heaven or hell Eternal destiny follows resurrection and divine judgment through Christ. |
| Islam: afterlife | Resurrection, judgment, paradise or Jahannam Akhirah includes barzakh, the Day of Resurrection, and final recompense. |
| Hinduism: afterlife | Samsara (rebirth) until moksha Liberation ends rebirth through knowledge, devotion, or disciplined action. |
| Buddhism: afterlife | Rebirth continues until nirvana No permanent self transmigrates; karmic continuity conditions new births. |
| Judaism: afterlife | Olam Ha-Ba; some beliefs in resurrection Views vary; Gehenna is often purifying and not eternal in many sources. |
| Sikhism: afterlife | Reincarnation until union with God (mukti) Through Naam and divine grace, one attains liberation from rebirth. |